Bhagavan appreciated the drama staged by devotees from Germany,
particularly that lady who played the role of Elizabeth. That lady
who played the role of Elizabeth served everybody. She rendered
service to everyone, the poor and needy alike; even though a person
who received help from her harmed her, criticised her, condemned
her, disowned her yet she continued to serve.

Swami was so happy. Where there is love, there is unconditional
sacrifice, unconditional service, nothing is expected. Nothing is
expected in return. That is pure Love.

Another
thing He said: "In London, there’s one Bal Vikas guru --
very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very great devotee." Then
Swami explained: Some time back when she was returning, she got the
news that her husband died. That lady went home, and after
completing all the things to be done, she returned immediately and
reported to Swami.

Baba said,
"She did not shed a tear. She did not cry. Why? She has understood
Swami’s teachings. She’s living Sai’s teaching." Baba tells, "All
things come and pass off. All are passing clouds. Good and bad come
and go. There’s not even a single permanent cloud. She knows it.
Just as every medicine has got two dates – the date of manufacturing
and the date of expiry – this life has got the date of birth gone
and the date of death hidden there. So she was so great she could
take it."

Then I
said, "Swami, one in million may be having that understanding."

Bhagavan
immediately said, "No, no. There are many people like that." He said
many.

Then He
added, "Of course, they are ladies; none among men!"

"Swami,
ladies?"

"Yes!
Ladies have got devotion. Ladies can withstand any kind of tension.
They have got utter surrender; therefore they are able to be like
that."

"Swami,
Your creation is defective. You created woman like that, as to
resist, and created man so soft, he cannot take it."

Then I
wanted to take another chance: "Swami, men have so many
responsibilities! Maybe that is one of the reasons why we are not
like women. Full-time devotees, full surrender – they have no other
job. We have so many responsibilities."

Bhagavan
has become a champion for the cause of women’s liberation movement!
Or an attorney, advocate representing the women’s case!

He said,
"Responsibility, chi! Women have more responsibility."

"What
responsibility, Swami, what?"

"Responsibility to the husband, responsibility to the children,
responsibility to the family, and responsibility to the prestige and
the dignity of the family. She has so many responsibilities. Men
don’t have that many responsibilities."

Gone, my
case was gone. I wanted to make a last attempt. Let the case go. At
least let me place my arguments! So I said, "Swami, men have many
avocations."

Swami was
about to go. I should have kept quiet. Again, I took the risk!
Bhagavan, who was going, turned back and said, "What avocations?
Chi!(An expression of disgust) Useless avocations!"

So
avocations are of two types: useful and useless.

"Swami,
useless?"

"Yes,
useless!"

"Right,
Swami." To be let down is one thing. Much to the pleasure of others
is another thing!

"Swami,
what?"

"Useless
avocations you have. The husband returns from the office and he
claims as if he is very much tired. In fact he is not very much
tired. Actually he takes 10 cups of coffee in the office but
pretends that he is tired. The poor lady, out of pity and love for
him, brings him cup of coffee. The fellow enjoys the coffee,
relaxed, sitting in an easy chair. And then this fellow gets up,
goes to the club and plays cards. Is that the avocation? Chi!
Playing cards, going to clubs, enjoying the company, talking with
friends! Are they avocations of men? Chi!

Women don’t
have that avocation. They always think of the family. They pray for
the prosperity of the irresponsible husband! The wife prays, ‘Let my
husband come up in life.’ No man has that spirit!"

So Swami
spoke that evening during the staging of the program of children
from London, explaining why and how women are superior to men in
every possible way. Thus Bhagavan made us feel very happy, though
with some reservation.

I also want
to tell you what happened with children from London who presented a
program recently with 130 children. The program presented by London
children, no one could ever equal it – best performance, best music,
best dances, and quick movements.

Swami was
very, very happy about it. He went on telling about it, "See, quick,
quick, quick, quick; whereas you fellows, trick, trick, trick. They
could present it nicely. Why? They live in trust, whereas you live
in rest. You live in rest, whereas they live in trust. That is the
difference."

God does
not hide anything. He openly tells you, even if you are offended.
There’s nothing like hide-and-seek with Him.

While distributing sarees, He stops at one place, "Ah, take this.
No! Same colour I gave you last year. This year you take another
colour.

He must have distributed a few lakhs of sarees to few lakhs people.
How does He remember the colour of the saree presented to that lady
and could know the same colour was given last year? So, a different
colour is better now. It is only God who could know that! God
remembers everybody and He cares for us.